Which joints are most likely to develop joint pain?
You may injure any joint in your body because they all bear the stress that comes with repeating the same movement. However, your weight-bearing joints are the most vulnerable to injury and damage, so they’re most likely to cause joint pain.
Dr. Moore specializes in treating the two largest weight-bearing joints, your knees and hips. He also frequently treats other damaged and painful joints, such as your shoulders, elbows, hands, and feet.
What problems often cause joint pain?
The most common health conditions responsible for joint pain include:
- Arthritis
- Injuries (sprains and strains)
- Joint fractures
- Cartilage damage
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
Sustaining a joint injury increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis sooner than you might with age-related degeneration.
Will I have other symptoms with joint pain?
Depending on the cause of your joint pain, you may experience:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Bruising
- Joint instability
- Joint stiffness
- Tingling or numbness
- Loss of joint movement
- Warmth around the joint
Though you should always seek medical care for intense or persistent joint pain, these additional symptoms indicate more severe joint damage that needs immediate attention.
How does Dr. Moore treat joint pain?
Dr. Moore diagnoses the cause of acute and chronic joint pain, then develop a treatment plan that incorporates the full range of nonsurgical care.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Moore completes a thorough physical exam and often orders diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or a CT scan to evaluate the severity of the underlying problem.
Your treatment plan begins with nonsurgical options such as rest, activity modification, and joint mobilization. Dr. Moore may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or inject steroids.
As your joint heals, the next step is physical therapy, so you can strengthen the joint, promote healing, and restore the joint’s range of motion.
If your joint pain persists despite conservative treatments, Dr. Moore talks with you about surgery to repair the underlying condition.
He may recommend many possible types of surgery because it depends on the cause of your pain. For example, he may need to repair a torn meniscus in your knee, reconstruct a ligament, repair cartilage tears, or perform a partial or total joint replacement.
Whether you have sudden, severe joint pain, or chronic pain that affects the quality of your life, call Dr. Moore at (602) 456-1835 today.